By: Amr Adel
Dubai – Mubasher: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) is likely to launch the second phase of opening networks for sharing early 2017, according to the telecom operator’s CEO Osman Sultan.
The phase will include fixed phone services and sharing of fiber optic cable infrastructure, which will generate good return on investments for the sector, as well as enhancing services provided for individuals and institutions, Sultan added in an interview with Mubasher.
du and Etisalat announced, a year ago, they would share their landline networks to offer fixed phone and internet services to customers in the first phase, and television services in the second phase, Sultan added.
Du is in talks with The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) regarding the introduction of the TV-at-home services in the second phase, as well as the suitable time for its launch, the CEO said.
Opening networks agreement contributed to cutting costs, Sultan said, adding that more costs will be reduced with the launch of the second phase.
du invests in a number of development projects including infrastructure, networks and smart services, he said, adding that the operator is working on establishing a developed infrastructure that suits the 5G networks.
The company is following up, with its regional and international partners, the latest technologies and experiments related to the 5G system, aiming to be commercially operated by 2020, the CEO said.
The telecom operator is currently focusing on projects of smart civil services, infrastructure, and the advanced 4G networks on which Dubai will rely to promote and complete the smart transformation.
Mobile subscribers are likely to increase in the second half of 2016 especially with the launch of new services, the CEO noted.
There are no current pressures from “My Number, My Identity” campaign that led to a suspension in the service for almost 1.1 million subscribers in 2015, Sultan highlighted.
In a reply to a question on royalties fees, Sultan said that there are no new instructions as the company did not receive any recommendations or notifications from the Finance Ministry regarding the amendment of franchise fees after 2016.
du does not have plans in the current moment to expand outside the UAE market, which is a perfect environment for investments in different sectors.
Translated by: Julian Nabil
